The news of Betty's bloodline broke out and spread like wildfire beyond the Beckett Group's control. Newton, who remained hospitalized, was shocked and infuriated upon learning the news. He demanded to meet Javier during the night.He began berating Javier in front of Jasper and Alyssa, not caring about their presence."What did I say to you? You should lay low at this rocky moment. Besides, you should stay by Lauren's side as her dad because she remains unconscious. You shouldn't have done anything unnecessary!"Does public perception matter that much? My granddaughter is more important than any bullshit reputation!"As the head of the family, why did you bother explaining yourself in a hurry to people who don't matter? You seem more confused and unwise the older you get, and your decisions are undignified!"Newton turned pale and breathed heavily after scolding Javier. Seeing that, Alyssa hurriedly patted him on the back while Jasper handed him a glass of water."The situatio
"At first, Lyse started having suspicion of Betty's lack of resemblance to Dad, but she kept it to herself without digging deeper into it."It wasn't until Betty showed her true color and hurt Lauren that Lyse started questioning the difference in character between the two sisters. She then decided to run a paternity test, and the result proved her right." Jasper looked at Alyssa affectionately.He added flatly, "Lyse understood it was a huge deal. She repeatedly reminded me to deal with the matter prudently without making it public."It was me who decided to reveal the news at the press conference. She had nothing to do with it. Grandpa, please don't blame her."Newton's heart swelled when he learned the truth. He glanced at Alyssa with gratitude. "Alice, you've been a great help to our family. I can't possibly blame her for anything. In fact, I need to compliment her. Don't mistake me for your fool of a father."Javier clenched his fists. Feelings of shame bubbled in his chest.
Jasper clearly felt the warmth seeping out of Alyssa's hand. Her breathing grew heavier. He immediately knew that the unpleasant memories had triggered her and left her heartbroken.He held the back of her head and gently kissed her on the forehead. Then, he offered her some comforting remarks, "Lyse, forget the unhappy memories. Look at me. I'm perfectly fine and healthy now, thanks to my talented wife, who fixed my broken skull!"Alyssa shook her head in frustration because she knew that Jasper had never made a full recovery. His old injury lingered, but his condition improved only because of the love and care she showered him after they got back together. His stress levels decreased, which led to improvements in his neurological health, and coupled with medical treatments, he finally stopped relapsing.However, she was well aware of how he endured the pain when he was stressed out during the day. After putting her to sleep at night, he would secretly take painkillers for relief
"That goes without saying." Javier left the room with a firm resolve. "I will not repeat my mistake!"…Betty had been spending her days locked up with the most vicious and filthy of female criminals in the detention center, where she slept on rock-hard beds and had nasty food for meals. Her life was worse than her time in Mosgravia.After the news of the abduction broke out, Javier sent an attorney to visit Betty. The attorney had promised to bail her out on medical grounds and get her to the hospital in three days. She would be staying at a VIP patient suite, far away from the crummy detention center.Betty, who had been acting timid and reserved in detention, immediately felt more spirited after learning about the incoming help. She did not learn her lesson and reverted to her arrogant self while still being detained.However, the prisoners did not take it well. Enraged, they beat her and cursed at her the entire day, forcing her to clean the restrooms. They handed her a basin
Betty barked, "Shut up! You're just my dad's lapdog. This is not your place to speak!""Enough! You should be the one shutting up." Javier slammed his fist on the table, which sent Betty reeling from the shock. She stammered, "D-Dad…""You repeatedly hurt my daughter. Sending you to jail is being merciful to you." Leaning forward, Javier clenched his jaw and seethed, "You deserve to go to hell with that evil mom of yours!"Shaking from head to toe, Betty pressed her hands against the glass. "Dad! Dad, what are you talking about? I'm as much your daughter as Lauren is! I was Zoe's victim—she threatened me! You can't watch me suffer!""Why would I save you?" Javier slowly rose from his seat. Then, he cast an arrogant and heartless look at Betty as if she were an enemy. "I'm here today to let you know that your problems are none of my business from now on. I will not visit you again. The sight of you disgusts me.""Dad…""Stop calling me Dad. You're not my daughter—only Lauren is!"
In Mosgravia, Justin was seated behind a sculpted wooden screen in a tea room filled with incense smoke. Dressed in white, he looked elegant, divine, and otherworldly, like he had walked out of a painting. He was in the middle of a chess game with Sheryl."Sir, we got news from Solana City. Javier Beckett has completely given up on Betty," Sheryl muttered quietly. "The paternity test result you dropped at the press conference was a huge blow to Mr. Javier.""That was expected." Justin lowered his gaze. He said indifferently, "Sophia Kirkman was useless. You can't expect much from her daughter."I knew Betty wasn't a Beckett many years ago. I was aware of Sophia Kirkman's secrets as well.""Were you? Why didn't you call them out?" Sheryl looked taken aback. "Sophia Kirkman abused her position as the family matriarch to misappropriate company funds. Weren't you worried about her actions? What if she got her hands on the company stocks or made Javier Beckett her puppet as she took con
Preston quivered in fear and sweated profusely. The five injections represented revenge for five different victims.Oddly, even when Preston had his arm severed by Landon, or when he was shot three times at the swimming pool, he had never felt closer to death than this moment.Perhaps Jordan was right. Preston's courage to die seemed to fade away after being given a second shot at life.Jordan, with a steely look in his eyes, injected the first poison into Preston's chest. The cold needle pierced through the skin, causing Preston to writhe as though he was being electrocuted. His eyes popped out in agony as he moaned."The first injection is for Landon's late father, who is dead because of you. After this shot, your limbs will go numb, and you will experience convulsions." Jordan picked up the second syringe and plunged it into Preston's left rib. "This shot is for Mr. Cornelius. You will feel a sharp pain in your stomach, as well as a headache and nausea."Preston cast a pleading
Jordan was able to get away without a hitch thanks to the other car that stopped the police at the hospital. A black vehicle zoomed through the brightly lit Solana Highway. Landon was staring out the window. His eyes were empty and dark. Under the flickering lights, his face was alluring as usual but inexplicably desolate. It was as if he was a completely different person. Jordan observed him closely, searching for any trace of his presidential demeanor, but found none whatsoever. Landon was completely broken. "I didn't issue any orders. You shouldn't have done more than what I've instructed you to." After a long silence, Landon spoke up softly, "There are numerous opportunities to kill Preston. Yet, you chose the one time when it was the riskiest." "I'm sorry, Mr. Landon." Jordan lowered his head. He clenched his fists tightly. "It's just that… I really wanted him to die. He's considered lucky to even be able to live another day! "I'm sorry. I know that I've made thi
Jasper lay restrained on the bed, his body writhing violently as waves of agony crashed over him. A towel clenched between his teeth muffled his cries, though it could not silence the torment. Every inch of his skin felt as if it were being devoured by thousands of invisible ants—a relentless, gnawing pain brought on by withdrawal.He knew he could no longer rely on the medication. Time and again, the temptation clawed at him, urging him to surrender and take the easy way out. Relief was just a pill away. But Jasper's willpower, though battered, refused to shatter. Anne's words echoed in his mind, a guiding light in the darkness. She had always taught him to be a righteous man—one with a clear conscience. Curling into himself, Jasper shut his bloodshot eyes. He couldn't disappoint Anne. He couldn't let down those who believed in him. He had to resist the dark side. Outside the room, Xavier glanced at his wristwatch. Judging the timing to be right, he pushed the door open and l
"How about now? Is Ms. Altman at home?" Alyssa asked urgently."She isn't," Clark replied. "She drove out the back gate alone around 11:00 pm. Our security personnel stopped her then, but she said she was just going out for some fresh air because she had trouble sleeping. She promised she wouldn't be long, but it's strange—she hasn't returned even now."Alyssa's ears began to ring, her heart sinking like a stone.When she ended the call, her nightgown clung to her skin, drenched in cold sweat. Her trembling hand gripped the phone tightly.She thought of calling Jonah, but he was still searching for Julien in Mosgravia. He wouldn't be able to return in time. Silas wasn't home tonight; he was likely with Rose. Besides, he was more of an academic than a fighter—not someone who could help in a crisis. Getting him out of bed in the middle of the night couldn't possibly solve any of their problems. Axel had returned to his organization, leaving Cyrus as the only one accessible who mi
Amber's eyes reddened as she darted toward the trapdoor in The Millennium, tears streaming down her face.Remy had let her go. He actually spared her! Didn't this prove that he was Damien? That his true nature lingered, even if his memories of the past had been lost?Hope and excitement bubbled within her as she ran. She had to reach Alyssa immediately and share this evidence—this incredible news!Emerging from the trapdoor, Amber navigated the tangled paths among the weeds on the mountain behind The Millennium.Suddenly, she froze. Her breath hitched. Beams of white light shone from all directions, focusing on her. The cold, unyielding spotlights told her everything—she was surrounded, the target of an ambush. Amber's heart pounded in her chest. Cold sweat slicked her palms as her fingers clenched tightly around her dagger. The veins on the back of her hand throbbed with adrenaline.Six assassins in black emerged from the shadows, their flashlights cutting through the gl
Amber glared at Remy through her bloodshot eyes, thrusting her gleaming blade toward his chest. In her early days of being Jameson's follower, the first lesson drilled into her was how to kill quickly and efficiently. Refinement wasn't necessary—only results mattered. Yet, despite mastering the techniques, she had never put them into practice. Deep down, Amber feared the sight of blood and loathed the idea of taking a life.And now, of all people, it was Remy forcing her to cross that line.The blade's tip hovered mere inches from Remy's heart when hesitation gripped her. Axel's voice echoed in her mind, raw with emotion. "Amber, I keep feeling that Remy is my fifth brother, Damien. We miss him… We want him to come home!"Her pupils dilated. The blade wavered, its deadly intent dissipating.That single moment of doubt was all Remy needed. With a calm, calculated motion, he seized her wrist and twisted it sharply.Amber gasped in pain, her grip faltering as the blade clattered
The password to Jameson's room was Alyssa's birthday. Jameson had always believed himself to be a devoted man, taking pride in that notion. Yet, in Amber's eyes, his devotion was nothing more than a pathetic joke—a sentiment she couldn't help but detest.Taking a steadying breath, Amber began rummaging through the drawers and shelves with swift precision.Years of observation had taught her that Jameson had hidden several secret compartments in this room, places meant to conceal vital information. Unless Jameson or Carl disclosed their existence, even the police might not have uncovered them.After what felt like an eternity, sweat beading on her forehead, Amber discovered a hidden compartment beneath a floor sculpture.As she pried the brick loose, her breath hitched. Inside the compartment lay a waterproof plastic bag containing a document and a USB drive.Amber retrieved the document. Her heart raced as she realized its contents—a research report from Mosgravia's RC Biotech
Ever since getting together with Axel, Amber had lived each day in bliss. Yet, when Winston assured her that he truly accepted her and approved of her marriage to Axel, that bliss reached its peak. For so long, Amber had struggled with feelings of inferiority, never truly believing she deserved Axel's love. Deep down, she had resolved to step away if Winston disapproved or insisted Axel marry a woman from a reputable family—a match more fitting of his status.She wouldn't have hesitated to leave if it meant sparing Winston and Axel any conflict. Amber loved Axel wholeheartedly and was willing to sacrifice everything for him.But instead of rejection, she found warmth. The Taylor family embraced her as one of their own, showing her kindness and understanding rather than disdain for her past.She could never repay such compassion. "Winston… Thank you. Thank you…" Amber's tear-filled eyes glistened, their brightness undimmed despite all the darkness she had endured. Winston s
Amber stifled a laugh and teased, "Stop talking, Mr. Whitaker. You're going to sound like a broken record if you keep going." …After breakfast and a quick packing session, Axel departed from Heightsnew Villa. Amber spent her day helping the Taylors with various tasks. She assisted Mandy in organizing documents for Lovelace Group's projects, helped Lyla with cooking, and even joined Colene in feeding her horse. With Tatiana's due date approaching, Amber also pitched in for her shower preparations.Amber had always been a diligent person, but today, she seemed particularly intent on keeping herself busy. She was counting down the hours until nightfall. After dinner, the Taylors sat in the living room and chatted casually as they always did. The warm, familial atmosphere filled the space, and Amber joined in, her perceptive nature making her a seamless part of the group.When everyone retired to their rooms, Amber rose to help the helpers clear the table. "Amber." Startled
Axel and Amber had only spent half a month together before the former was called back to report for work. The night before his departure, they spent hours lost in each other, their passion unrelenting. Again and again, they exchanged kisses, their love pouring forth in an endless tide."Amber, three months… Just give me three more months." When their fervor finally waned, Axel held Amber close in his arms. They rested against the headboard, leaning into one another, too exhausted to move yet unwilling to let sleep claim them."Once I finish all the missions I've taken on, I'll hand in my resignation. After that, I'll spend all my time with you," Axel murmured, his voice steady with resolve. "We'll go wherever you want. If you want fun, I'll have fun with you. If you want chaos, I'll spend my life going crazy with you."Axel wasn't one for flowery words. He simply spoke from the heart. Right now, his heart only wanted Amber—forever.Amber nestled closer, her soft smile masking t
"Sir." Sheryl immediately stood and greeted Justin respectfully as he entered the room. "What are you doing here?" Justin's cold gaze swept over her as he strolled leisurely to the couch and sat down.Sheryl quickly explained, "I received a parcel for you from the administrative secretary half an hour ago. I thought it might be something important, something you wouldn't want too many people to handle. So, I waited for you to return and open it personally.""A parcel?" Justin frowned. Why would anyone send him a parcel to Beckett Group, of all places? How strange. Sheryl presented the parcel to him with both hands. He took it from her and then opened it right before her. After removing three layers of wrapping, each from outside and inside the box, the parcel turned out to contain only a plain white envelope. His expression darkened. It felt like someone was toying with him.Then, he looked down and opened the envelope, which contained a stack of photographs. Pinching a co